I think that the shooting of those little, hungry lion cubs (Page 1B, Dec. 5) was uncalled for and a reprehensible act by whomever gave the order -- and those who carried out the order. The idea that Fish and Game had to "balance public safety" and "concern that they might escape and become a threat to public safety" is just so much hogwash. I mean, for crying out loud, they can tranquilize a rhinoceros quite handily with no injury to anyone in the vicinity. In my humble opinion, it was the expedient thing to do -- less trouble for Fish and Game to shoot a couple of 25- to 30-pound cubs than to call in wildlife rescue. I think that this episode should be thoroughly investigated and the individual responsible put on administrative leave, pending a review of their suitability to remain in their job -- obviously a job beyond their capabilities, considering their extreme lack of judgment and poor decision-making.

Daniel Dugan

San Jose

Wardens need to place call to wildlife rescuers

It seems that, for the state Department of Fish and Game, killing is the first option, rather than a last resort, when faced with mountain lions in developed areas. The situation in Half Moon Bay could have been handled without killing the cubs, who had likely lost their mother. It needs to be made protocol for Fish and Game wardens to call in licensed wildlife rescuers when faced with lions in residential neighborhoods. I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains and value wildlife alive. For that reason, if I ever spot mountain lions around our home, I won't be calling the Department of Fish and Game to report them. I wish my tax dollars weren't supporting such barbarism.

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Michelle Waters

Los Gatos

End the folly by taking Shirakawa's card away

Santa Clara County Supervisor George Shirakawa has become nothing but a distraction. There are real issues to be dealt with, and this guy's 15 minutes are up. He's proven himself to be irresponsible, unable to maintain any control of his spending habits, and unable to face his responsibility. Do what you'd do with a small child who exhibits the same behavior. Take the card away. Simple, effective, and permanent. If he can't control himself, we'll have to. Just take the card away, plain and simple, and get on with the real news, please.

Steve Sulgit

Cupertino

Sequestration process may be the best option

The so-called "fiscal cliff" may just be a better solution to the federal government's budgetary crisis than anything our elected representatives can deliver. The Obama administration and Republican members of Congress appear more committed to ideological posturing and serving their personal political agendas than working together on sensible financial solutions. Perhaps 25 percent across-the-board spending cuts and a return to the tax structure in place during the prosperous Clinton years wouldn't be so bad. In place of arrogant politicians bickering among themselves, decisions regarding how to allocate the reduced financial resources would be left to thousands of government bureaucrats, the majority of whom have been in place long enough to understand their responsibilities and take them seriously. "Sequestration" would place the task of balancing the budget and reducing the frightful federal deficit in the hands of people much more capable than our dysfunctional elected leaders.

Mark Jansen

Los Gatos

View about pension reform right on mark

Three cheers for the Mercury News. They got it right.

Jim Unland and Robert Sapien Jr. (Opinion, Dec. 5) believe that the city should make police and fire personnel rich and that they should retire early with benefits not seen in industry.

Your editorial on the MTC San Francisco office building project (Editorial, Dec. 6) clearly lays out the errors the commission committed in pursuing their vision. I take exception in the conclusion of your report: The CFO and executive director need to be fired, along with a number of staff members.

Too many public agencies forget where the money comes from and who their customers really are. It seems they are politically and professionally immune to the risks that they take with our resources. Accountability is easier to come by when your job is on the line.

Jeff Davis

Aptos

Wait until things get like they are in Greece

All Californians are biting the hands that feed them, but at least 44 percent of us are happy and positive about it! ("State feeling revival of mojo," Page 1A, Dec. 6). I wonder for how long? Right now it looks like the only ones we're learning from are the Greeks (they are really happy right now). We'll be there soon.